Bill Haber / Associated PressPete Fountain gives a toast as he leads his Half Fast Walking Club through the streets of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. This is the 50th year Fountain has led his group celebrating the all day street party of Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps rouler – encore.

Just a week after celebrating a Louisiana first – a Saints win in the Super Bowl – New Orleans kicks off its oldest and best-known party this morning, Mardi Gras, with a string of parades as glittery as a beaded necklace.

The Krewe of Zulu opens the day with a winding procession that begins at 8 a.m. at South Claiborne and Jackson avenues. They’re followed by the Krewe of Rex at 10 a.m. and a range of other float-filled pageants throughout the day.

For many New Orleanians, today’s festivities will mark the continuation of a party that began moments after the Saints 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7. Indeed, just two days after the game, the team was celebrated in a parade that included floats from different krewes and which was broadcast live on national television. And on Sunday, Saints quarterback Drew Brees opened up this week’s festivities as the King of Bacchus.

As a sign of Brees’ reign as the king of pro football in Louisiana, many of the costumes in today’s celebration will likely feature Saints themes as the team’s success on the national stage has added a little extra flair to the fleur de lis.

Check back with nola.com all day for continuing updates on what may be – after eight days already spent celebrating the Saints – one of the Fattest Tuesdays ever.